Team Bisping
There are two bantamweight fights left, so Bisping gathers his guys to ask them how they want to determine who is fighting who. They see John Dodson as the tough fight and Roland Delorme as the easier of the two.
John Albert, who they call “Prince,” says he thinks Roland is the easier fight, then TJ Dillashaw says he thinks he’s the stronger fighter on the team. Bisping and his coaches don’t seem to know how to handle things, trying to figure out who to match up with Roland.
Team Mayhem
Mayhem, Ryan Parsons and Roland are all in the training room, and Roland has an issue with his foot. His right foot is crazy swollen, and Mayhem thinks he’s got a staph infection. He’s off to the doctors.
Fight Announcements
Bisping goes on a little rant about how to act at the fight announcements, telling people not to shoot doubles at the fight announcement, and listing ways to not look like an a-hole after the fights, as if Team Mayhem have been acting out of line.
They announce the fights, and it’s John Albert facing John Dodson, with Bisping calling Dodson a member of Team Bisping anyway.
Akira calls TJ a draft dodger for sending “Prince” to face Dodson; Josh Ferguson chimes in with his criticism of the move too.
The remaining bantamweight fight is TJ Dillashaw versus Roland Delorme, but Roland isn’t there. Mayhem says he’ll still go through with the fight.
Mayhem wanted to see John Dodson face TJ, but he’s still confident his guys can win their fights.
Training Session: Team Bisping
“Prince” says he’s confident he can win the fight, and Bisping says he thinks he’s flying under the radar a little. The game plan is for “Prince” to use his height and his range to force the shorter Dodson to come in, then throw hands.
Training Session: Team Bisping
Dodson is still kind of on the outs with his team, but he doesn’t care, delivering the “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying” line. Mayhem says he’s working his way back into the group.
Mayhem talks about Dodson’s energy and talent levels, but says he’s kind of lazy in practice. Dodson says he’s never serious at practice, but when he needs to be serious in the cage, he’ll be serious.
John Dodson vs. John Albert
Round 1: Dodson’s speed advantage is evident early as he rips a combo that lands. Dodson lands a good kick to the body, then forced “Prince” to block a head kick. Dodson throws and lands another quick combo. Inside leg kick from Dodson lands, and he’s getting out of the way of everything “Prince” throws. Left hooks to the body and head connect for Dodson. Two minutes in, “Prince” hasn’t done much. Dodson lands a good kick, and presses in, catching “Prince” with a hook on the way out. They shuffle around a little, and Dodson catches him with a good left that staggers “Prince,” who immediate shoots. Dodson scrambles and gets to his feet, and “Prince” looks gassed. breathing heavily out of his mouth. Dodson keeps landing, while “Prince” still hasn’t landed much. Dodson seems to be on cruise control for the last 90 seconds, landing when he presses in, and finishing the round with hammerfists after a missed takedown attempt. 10-9 Dodson, easy.
Round 2: The second round is a lot like the final 90 seconds of the first round, with Dodson doing more than “Prince” and landing when he presses in, but he’s not pushing to finish in any way. Mayhem thinks the fight is done after two, while Bisping thinks they’re going to a third round.
Mayhem knows Dodson coasted through the second round, and Dodson admits to it after we hear the verdict.
Official Results: John Dodson by Unanimous Decision
Bisping says he thinks “Prince” will fight in the finale. He’s broken up afterward, saying he doesn’t want to go back to working.
Bisping chirps at Team Mayhem a little more, saying, “You won one.” Mayhem ignores him. The score, in case you’re wondering, is 5-2 Mayhem through seven fights.
On the next episode of The Ultimate Fighter:
A foot infection could sideline Roland from his fight. Team Bisping takes issue with TJ’s superior attitude. Then, it’s the last fight before Dana announces the semifinal match-ups. Plus, Team Bisping gets a visit from UFC legend Tito Ortiz.
Who will become… the next Ultimate Fighter?